The Qualities That Define a Top Child Custody Attorney
When it comes to divorce proceedings, few issues are more contentious than child custody. Whether you need to work out an arrangement with your spouse or you need to fight for your rights in court, it is essential that you have a good Chicago child custody attorney on your side. The attorneys at Merel Family Law are committed to providing the dedicated representation that you need and deserve in your child custody case.
Illinois courts recognize that the maximum involvement and cooperation of both parents in their children’s lives is in the best interests of the children. For this reason, it is rare to find a court that awards sole custody to one parent. Rather, the courts look at many different factors when making custody decisions, including the parents’ ability to cooperate; the physical and emotional health of both parties; whether either party has engaged in domestic violence or abuse; and the overall situation of each family.
A good Chicago Custody Lawyer will be able to interlink your desire for what you think is in the best interest of your children with what the court can award. This includes parental responsibilities and parental time. Parental responsibilities include the power to make crucial decisions about your child’s education, religion, and medical treatment. Parental time is the schedule that establishes when your child will spend time with each parent, and how much time they will live with each parent. Both parties must be able to come up with a plan that they believe is in the best interests of the children.
In addition to helping you determine the best custody and visitation arrangement for your situation, a good Chicago child custody lawyer will help you resolve any issues that cannot be settled by agreement. Around 95% of all divorce cases settle before going to trial. Our firm can help you reach a settlement through mediation or by conducting a pretrial conference. We have extensive experience in both contested and uncontested divorces, so we can prepare you for the process, negotiate effectively on your behalf, and get you the results that you need and deserve.
Lastly, a good Chicago Custody Lawyer will be well-versed in Illinois child support laws. The amount of child support is determined based on the net incomes of both parties, the amount of time that each party spends with the children, and any special needs that your child may have. Generally, child support is paid until your children are out of high school, but can be modified upward or downward as the circumstances change. Our firm can also assist you in modifying or enforcing child support obligations and orders.